Color copying machine with copy number counting device for individual color printing

Abstract

Disclosed is an extremely convenient copying machine for performing copying operations using a selected color toner of internally provided color toner developer containers, which copying machine effectively provides means for cumulatively counting the number of copied papers processed by each color toner developer container. The preferred embodiment provides a plurality of counters for counting the number of copied papers provided for each color toner developer container, and feeds the counter pulses generated in each copying cycle to these counters according to the selected color of the internally installed color toner developer containers. A display unit is also provided so that the actual number of copied papers processed by each color toner developer container can be cumulatively displayed as required.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A copying machine comprising: a plurality of internally installed color toner developer containers;   a plurality of counters in a one-to-one correspondence with each of said plurality of color toner developer containers, said plurality of counters individually counting a cumulative number of photocopies made from each one of said color toner developer containers;   means for connecting said plurality of counters to said corresponding plurality of color toner developer containers;   selection means for selecting one of said plurality of color toner developer containers for use in providing photocopies of the selected color;   means, responsive to said selection means, for feeding counter pulses generated in each copying cycle of the selected color to said respective one of said plurality of counters;   display means for individually displaying a cumulative number of copies made by the copying machine from each of said color toner developer containers as counted by each of said plurality of counters; and   display means for displaying a cumulative number of copies made by the copying machine as determined by a sum of each of said plurality of counters.   
     
     
       2. A copying machine according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of internally installed color toner developer containers include black, red, and blue containers. 
     
     
       3. A copying machine according to claim 1, wherein said means for feeding counter pulses is a circuit including said selection means, and a plurality of switching transistors corresponding to said plurality of counters. 
     
     
       4. A copying machine according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of counters includes a read-write memory in a control circuit of said copying machine. 
     
     
       5. A copying machine according to claim 3, wherein said selection means is an electrical switch having a plurality of switch contacts corresponding to said plurality of switching transistors, a terminal switch contact, and a movable connecting member in continuous contact with said terminal switch contact and in selective contact with said plurality of switch contacts, wherein said terminal switch contact receives counter pulses generated in each cycle of a copying operation and said plurality of switch contacts only receive counter pulses generated during selection of a specific color toner developer container in a copying operation. 
     
     
       6. A copying machine according to claim 1, wherein said means for connecting said plurality of counters to said corresponding plurality of color toner developer containers is a connector unit having a plurality of connectors therein, each of which correspond to a single one of said color toner developer containers, each of said connectors having a plurality of pins in a predetermined orientation for enabling an exact connection between a counter and a correct color toner developer container.